The Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan has been officially adopted and will now be used as a legal planning document to shape developments for the next decade and beyond.
A total of 2,140 residents (90 per cent) voted in favour of adopting the document in a referendum, held by East Devon District Council, on Thursday (September 20).
Voters were asked 'Do you want East Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Sidmouth to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?'.
A total of 227 people voted no (10 per cent) and five ballot papers were spoilt. The turnout was 19.4 per cent.
Deirdre Hounsom, of the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: "We hope that the plan will help protect our beautiful Sid Valley from inappropriate development whilst ensuring that any subsequent applications take account and abide by of the relevant policies within the plan."
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